I need all you wonderful experienced chicken people to help me decide.

Long Story Short, live in San Diego,Ca where it's been hot. Have 4 kids 10 and under and a great hubby who wants very good layers (preferably at least four eggs a week). Will be a small flock of five maybe six depending on our space. Are looking to buy our first house in suburbs (haven't found it yet) so can't have too many since we are working with a smaller yard that will need space for a veggie garden as well as room for the kids and dog to play.

I would like as pretty a flock as possible and am planning to get them from My Pet Chicken since I can order less than 25. Here are the breeds I'm looking at, can anyone give me advice to help me narrow it down some? I'm thinking only one of any breed...

BARRED ROCKS, BLACK AUSTRALORPS, BLACK STARS or SEX LINKS (I am not sure on this one now because I thought they were all black at first.), DELAWARES, EASTER EGGERS (definitely want one of these), GOLDEN or SILVER LACED WYANDOTTES, RIRs, SILKIES (white or blue likewise, can't decide on that either, I like the Splash color but understand the genetics of getting a blue, black, or splash from a blue)

Thank you so much in advance for the help!
Shauna

One last question, when ordering, would I order more than I actually want in case something happens to one? If so, and they all survive, what would I do with the extras? Not sure I could make dinner with them...

We have standard breeds. The SLW & GLW are very pretty. I like the White & Columbian too. Our Wyandottes are great egg layers and very calm and gentle. You can never tell what an EE is going to look like. Ours was a gentle hen. Not on your list, but also gentle is Jersey Black Giant or Dominique. (An important factor when children are involved.)

My RIR hens are sweeties that give me an egg apiece about 6 days out of 7. They are gentle and inquisitive and fun to be around. My RIR roos, however, are often a different story entirely. I would not suggest them for a backyard flock, especially if you have small children. My buff Rock hens are equally delightful, lay an egg apiece about 3 days out of 4. My buff rock roos are also pleasant to be around.

I would make sure to have at least one sex link. The red ones are gorgeous and awesome layers (with BIG eggs too). My experience with Wyandottes is that their eggs are smaller and they lay less (but still easily 3 or 4 a week) but I have herd other people say different. They are beautiful, however, and more than worth the space they take up. Barred Rocks are hands down the sweetest chickens on the planet!!! Pretty good layers but not like a sex link. Good luck with your new chickies. You are going to fall in love!!!!

You might check with "TommyVT" or "Linda in San Diego"... Tommy's on the east side, I think, and Linda's in the Clairmont area? (don't quote me, I'm not 100% sure). There are several people from SD here (I grew up there!) that might be able to help you out. But... a thought... I'd stick with the lighter breeds with the heat... black australorps and the darker colored hens will get very hot without a cool place to get out of the sun.